Luminaires



May 7, 1963 w. A. TROTT LUMINAIRES driginal Filed Feb. 6, 1956 4Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WILLIAM A TROTT jflmw KM PATENT ATTORNEYS W. A.TROTT May 7, 1963 LUMINAIRES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Rn mm w W A I I M I- l W mlE PATENT ATTOR'IYS w. A. TROTT May 7, 1963 LUMINAIRES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3Original Filed Feb. 6, 1956 JMM $15M awn ATTORNEYS W. A. TROTT May 7,1963 LUMINAIRES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Feb. 6, 1956 INVENTORMy, H 77. BY

HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,089,023 LUMINAIRES William A.Trott, 115 Middlegate, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 563,804, Feb. 6, 1956. This application July 6,1959, Ser. No. 828,427 4 Claims. (Cl. 240-9) My invention relates to newand useful improvements in lurninaires, this application constituting acontinuation of my application Serial No. 563,804, filed February 6,1956, now abandoned. The principal object and essence of my invention isto provide a high efliciency light diffusion cell surrounding theanterior side of the light source said cell being sealed against theingress of dust, insects and the like, thereby eliminating the need forcleaning the inner light reflecting and transmitting surfaces of thecell and thus reducing maintenance costs considerably.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the characterherewith described which is applicable to luminaires designed forsurface mounting, as standard recessed units, and in particularsuspended ceiling installations.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a device of thecharacter herewithin described which includes readily attachable anddetachable light diffusing cells, thereby making lamp replacementextremely simple.

Still another object of my invention, in conjunction with the foregoingobjects, is to provide means for readily attaching and detaching thelight diffusion cell from the supporting structure, whereby the formercan be lowered and suspended from the supporting structure for cleaningand the like and in which, furthermore, the attaching and detachingoperating means is formed of material similar to the anteriorpresentation or light diffusing panel, thus making the operating means afunctional part of the pattern of said panel and eliminating unsightlydark portions normally associated with such structures.

A yet further object of my invention is to provide a device of thecharacter herewithin described which, particularly when used in asuspended ceiling installation, is adapted to bear against the anteriorside of conventional T bar supports under spring pressure rather thanresting upon the upper surfaces thereof, thereby eliminating (1) noisedue to vibration of the units caused either by external causes or highvelocity ventilating systems and (2) the considerable maneuveringrequired to position light-passing panels and the like through theopenings formed by the T-bars in order that they may be lowered intoposition upon said flanges.

A further object of my invention in conjunction with the foregoingobjects is to permit luminaires to be positioned adjacent one anotherthe form of a module assembly capable of luminously covering an interiorbuilding surface, particularly a ceiling, and which, when thepresentation or anterior light diifusing panels thereof are made ofplastic, permits the flanges of said panels to abut and cover theT-bars. This, together with the characteristics of plastic, permitslight to bleed right to the edges, and eliminates or reduces dark linesbetween adjacent luminaires normally caused by said T-bars.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a device of thecharacter herewithin described which is adapted for use either as acomplete suspended ceiling installation or, alternatively, as asuspended ceiling embodying one or a plurality of luminairesinterspersed with plain or patterned acoustic panels and the like, thusenabling the architect considerable latitude of design having regard tooverall lighting requirements and spec fic concentrated lightingrequirements in various areas of the room.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device of thecharacter herewithin described which enables many variations of colorand design of the presentation panels either by printing or shadoweffect, or by the placement of colored translucent materials upon theinner surfaces of said presentation panels.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the characterherewithin described in which the majority of maintenance normallyrequired by ceiling fluorescent lighting fixtures is eliminated, theonly maintenance required being the replacement of lamps at relativelyinfrequent intervals. This is in contrast with conventional fluorescentlight fixtures, which, in order to maintain efliciency of light output,require regular and frequent cleaning of the light reflecting andtransmitting surfaces.

With the foregoing objects in view, and such other objects andadvantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to whichthis invention relates as this specification proceeds, my inventionconsists essentially in the arrangement and construction of parts all ashereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side sectional elevation of my device in the installedposition taken substantially along the line-s 11 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 2 is a section taken at right angles to FIG- URE 1 substantiallyalong the lines 22 of FIGURE 1, but showing the components in separatedrelationship.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective View reduced in scale from FIGURES 1 and 2,showing one of my luminaires in the installed posit-ion.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View of one end of oneof the light troffers and one end of the light diffusion cells.

FIGURE 5 is :an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion ofthe H supporting frames.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View of the upper end ofone of the elongated members attached to the ceiling supportingstructure.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the method of attachingthe light diffusion cell supporting rod to its supporting surface.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of one of the T-barsand the flange-s of a pair of adjacent luminaires.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but showing the cell in operativerelationship with the associated reflector.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the different figures.

The accompanying drawings cover primarily my invention as adapted to beutilized in a suspended ceiling installation. It will be appreciatedhowever that it can be adapted readily for use as a recessedinstallation in a wall or as a surface mounting either upon a wall orceiling. The said invention consists primarily of three principalassemblies; a ceiling support assembly collectively designated A; alight reflector assembly collectively designated B; and a lightdiffusion cell assembly c0llectively designated C, all of which areshown in separated relationship in FIGURE 2 of the accompanyingdrawings.

Assembly A consists of a pair of spaced and parallel channels 20 havinga cross channel 21 spanning same medially the ends thereof, said crosschannel acting as a Wiring channel. Depending from the extremities 22 ofthe channels 20 are elongated supporting members 23, said members beingsecured to the extremities 22, either by welding or bolts or similarmeans. Flanged end caps 24 are fitted over the ends of the channelsafter the members 23 are secured, in order to close these ends.Conventional T-oars 25 are secured to the lower ends 26 of the elongatedsupporting members 23, thus forming a rectangular frame, the dimensionsof which are equivalent to the dimensions of the luminaire assembly.

This assembly A may either be secured directly to the ceiling 27, or maybe secured to hangers 28 suspended from the ceiling, depending upon thedesired finished suspended ceiling height.

Assembly B consists of a pair of upwardly flanged elongated members 29spanned medially the ends thereof by a flanged member 30, said member 30being parallel to and adapted to engage with the aforementionedtransverse member 21. The assembly includes fluorescent lamp holders 31,and such items as transformers and ballasts (not illustrated) and isadapted to be detachably secured to assembly A by means of bolts 32extending downwardly from member 21 and engaging within apertures 33formed in member 30, wing nut 34 completing said securement, so thatmember 30 encloses the channel 21 which, as hereinbefore mentioned, actsas a wiring v trough.

Upon each side of member 30 and parallel therewith, I have provided anelongated posterior reflector 35 of parabolic cross-section. Thisreflector extends between the members 29 and partially surrounds eachlight source 36 which is an elongated fluorescent lamp. The reflectors35 are closed at the ends by end panels 37, as illustrated in FIGURE 4.The perimeter 38 of said reflectors takes the form of a flange 39adapted to receive a resilient seal 40. formed of felt, sponge rubber orsome similar material.

My light diffusion cell assembly C consists of a concavoconvex posteriorlight transmitting panel 41, one for each reflector, and an anteriorlight diffusing presentation panel 42 spaced from said panel 41 by meansof pairs of elongated, lateral, light reflectingpanels 43 and 44. Allthe foregoing structure is formed preferably of plastic material, and issecured together to make a dust-proof enclosure. The panels 43 and 44may be opaque or semiopaque reflectors. with opposed light reflectingsurfaces which direct light on to the presentation panel. The panels. 41form, in conjunction with the reflectors 35, light chambers 45surrounding lamps 36'. It Wlll be observed that the perimeters 46 of thepanels 4-1 are flanged as at 47, and these reflectors are. adapted toengage, if desired, the aforementioned seal 4% around the perimeters 38of the light reflector panels aforesaid. In this connection, referenceto FIGURE 4 will show that end panels 48 are included as part of thelight diffusion cells, thus completely enclosing the same.

The longitudinal edges 46 of the posterior light transmitting panels 41are cotermino-us with upper flanged.

edges 49 of the outer reflector panels 43, which also have inner,opposed light reflecting surfaces, these panels diverging outwardly anddownwardly from the upper edges thereof.

The upper longitudinal edges 50 of the inner pair of lateral reflectorpanels 44 are also flanged and are coterminous with the oppositelongitudinal edges 47 of the posterior panels. These inner panels alsohave light reflecting inner surfaces, and extend downwardly and mwardly,terminating at points 51 and being spaced from the aforementionedpresentation panel 42 by means of ing panel 42, can be of any convenientdesign and FIG- URE 3 of the accompanying drawings shows the designutilized in this embodiment. it will be seen that the configurationincludes a pair of relatively square formations 57 formed integrallyinto one presentation panel, each square having a central portion 58.These portions are utilized in actuating the means collectivelydesignated 59, adapted to attach and detach the light diffusion cell toassembly B. The portions 58 are secured to the lower ends of rods 60,which pass upwardly through the aforementioned tubes 52 and terminatewith a transverse pin 61 adjacent the upper end 62 thereof. Means takingthe form of collar 63 secured to the rod above the lower end of innerflanges 44 and restrict downward movement of the rod under the influenceof spring 64 reacting between members 53 and the surface 65 of thepresentation panel 42. It also prevents rod 6i: from dropping out ofposition.

Within the channel 39 is formed an elongated slot 66 adapted to receivepin 61, which, when rotated through ninety degrees can enter the slotand rest upon the upper surface 67 of the said channel, being preventedfrom accidental disengagement therefrom by means of projections ordimples 68 formed within the said surface.

When the rods are disengaged from the channel 30, the complete cell Cmay be lowered. It is restrained and held captive by chains 69 attachedat their lower ends to rods 60 by means of rings 70, and at their upperends to the channel 36? by engagement thereof with strappieces 71punched downwardly in the surface of the channel. The rings 70 are freeto slide on the rods and are checked by the aforementioned pins 63 whenthe assembly is in the fully lowered position.

When placing cell C in the operative position of the accompanying FIGURE9, it is offered upwardly towards the said reflector 35 so that theperimeters 46 engage the gaskets 40 of the reflector 35. At the sametime, due to the length of the elongated supports 23, the flanges 54coterminous with the perimeter of the presentation panel 42, engage theanterior or underside surfaces 71 of the aforementioned T-bars 25. Theupper ends 62 of rods 66" are entered through the slots 66 within thechannel 30 and the pins 61 are also entered through the slot by upwardpressure upon the actuating members 58 compressing springs 64.

A turn through ninety degrees of the actuating members 58 engages. thepins 61 between the dimples or projections 68, whereupon release of theactuating members 58 causes the springs 64 to maintain the assemblyunder tension and in position.

Reference to FIGURE 8 will show that when two adjacent luminaires are inposition, the edges 72 of the,

flanges 54 and 55, are coterrninous and due to the fact that at leastthe surrounding flanges of the panel 42 are formed of plastic, the lightbleeds through these edges, thus preventing shadows or dark lines beingcast by the Tbars 25.

It will also be understood that when in the operative position, both thelight chambers 45 and the interior surfaces of light diffusion cells Care enclosed (the latter being sealed) against ingress of dust, insectsand the like. Accordingly, the lateral light reflecting panels 43 and 44may be considered as an extension of the reflector 35the whole forming anovel, deep and capacious reflector in which both a fluorescent lamp issituated, and, in front of it a dust excluding panel (posterior panel41), which (with panel 42) seals what may be described as the anteriorpart of the reflector-as-a-whole.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabovedescribed, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same madewithin the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from suchspirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in theaccompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only andnot in a limiting sense.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a luminaire, in combination:

(a) a hollow rectangular light reflecting and diffusing cell havingclosed ends and comprising:

(I) a rectangular, anterior, light diffusing panel,

(II) a rectangular, posterior, light transmitting panel spaced from saiddiffusing panel,

(III) longitudinal side edges,

(IV) elongated, lateral, light reflecting panels having opposedreflecting inner surfaces, said anterior and posterior panels beingspaced, said reflecting panels connecting said anterior and posteriorpanels together along said side edges.

(b) an elongated fluorescent lamp disposed exteriorly of said cell andrearwardly of said light transmitting panel,

(c) an elongated posterior reflector having an elongated reflectingsurface which is spaced from, and at least partially to the rear of saidlamp for optical coaction with light reflecting panels, with saidreflector and lamp being parallel to said longitudinal side edges, saidreflecting inner surfaces of said reflecting panels and posteriorreflector being substantially coterminous and co-extensive,

(d) cell retaining means capable of retaining said cell in saidlurninaire while permitting separation of the same therefrom.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said light diffusingpanel of said cell is formed from translucent material.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said light diffusingpanel of said cell is formed from translucent material and said lighttransmitting panel thereof is transparent.

4. A luminous covering for a planar interior surface of a building inthe form of a module assembly comprising in combination, a plurality ofsubstantially similar selfcontained luminous modules of rectangularconfiguration, said modules having substantially contiguous marginaledges, and rectangular anterior light diff-using panels co-extensivewith said interior surface, said modules each comprising a hollowrectangular light-reflecting and diffusing cell having closed ends, saidcell comprising said light diffusing panel, an elongated rectangularlight transmitting panel spaced rearwardly from said diffusing panel,and elongated, lateral, light reflecting panels having opposed,reflecting, inner surfaces, said reflecting panels connecting said lightdiffusing and transmitting panels together along said marginal edges ofsaid cell, a source of light comprising an elongated fluorescent lampdisposed exteriorly and rearwardly of said cell, an elongated posteriorreflector having an elongated reflecting surface spaced from and atleast partially to the rear of said lamp for optical co-action with saidreflecting panels, said reflector and said lamp being parallel to saidside edges, the said reflecting surfaces of said reflecting panels, andsaid reflecting surface of said posterior reflector being substantiallyco-terminous and co-extensive, and cell retain-ing means capable ofretaining said cell in said luminaire while permitting separation of thesame therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,870,241 Dorey Aug. 9, 1932 2,281,378 Ohm Apr. 28, 1942 2,428,827 BeckOct. 14, 1947 2,463,057 Runge Mar. 1, 1949 2,663,794 Avenberg Dec. 22,1953 2,710,335 Wong June 7, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 565,031 France Apr. 12,1923 53,501 Netherlands Nov. 16, 1942 345,693 Switzerland Mar. 31, I960

4. A LUMINOUS COVERING FOR A PLANAR INTERIOR SURFACE OF A BUILDING INTHE FORM OF MODULE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A PLURALITY OFSUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR SELFCONTAINED LUMINOUS MODULES OF RECTANGULARCONFIGURATION, SAID MODULES HAVING SUBSTANTILLY CONTIGUOUS MARGINALEDGES, AND RECTANGULAR ANTERIOR LIGHT DIFFUSING PANELS CO-EXTENSIVE WITHSAID INTERIOR SURFACE, SAID MODULES EACH COMPRISING A HOLLOW RECTANGULARLIGHT-REFLECTING AND DIFFUSING CELL HAVING CLOSED ENDS, SAID CELLCOMPRISING SAID LIGHT DIFFUSING PANEL, AN ELONGATED RECTANGULAR LIGHTTRANSMITTING PANEL SPACED REARWARDLY FROM SAID DIFFUSING PANEL, ANDELONGATED, LATERAL, LIGHT REFLECTING PANELS HAVING OPPOSED, REFLECTING,INNER SURFACES, SAID REFLECTING PANELS CONNECTING SAID LIGHT DIFFUSINGAND TRANSMITTING PANELS TOGETHER ALONG SAID MARGINAL EDGES OF SAID CELL,A SOURCE OF LIGHT COMPRISING AN ELONGATED FLUORESCENT LAMP DISPOSEDEXTERIORLY AND REARWARDLY OF SAID CELL, AN ELONGATED POSTERIOR REFLECTORHAVING AN ELONGATED REFLECTING SURFACE SPACED FROM AND AT LEASTPARTIALLY TO THE REAR OF SAID LAMP FOR OPTICAL CO-ACTION WITH SAIDREFLECTING PANELS, SAID REFLECTOR AND SAID LAMP BEING PARALLEL TO SAIDSIDE EDGES, THE SAID REFLECTING SURFACES OF SAID REFLECTING PANELS, ANDSAID REFLECTING SURFACE OF SAID POSTERIOR REFLECTOR BEING SUBSTANTIALLYCO-TERMINOUS AND CO-EXTENSIVE, AND CELL RETAINING MEANS CAPABLE OFRETAINING SAID CELL IN SAID LUMINAIRE WHILE PERMITTING SEPARATION OF THESAME THEREFROM.